“Bloody Hell, put that thing down?” Amal scowls from his spot on the edge of the little cot, one leg pulled up so he can try and work the ill fitting boots off. “Giving me hives at this point.”
“Aye dunnae think it’s m’rosary that’s given ye the hives,” says Isaac, twisting the red crystal covered beads of the rosary tighter around his fingers. The tainted goddess stones catch in the wane light of the candles, fire and blood and stone all in one.
“Put it down, or go elsewhere. You ain’t gettin’ in this bed with that on.” The boot hits the floor with a thump. A second thump follows a moment later, and then the springs creak as he shifts backwards.
The tainted goddess stones growing from Amal’s skin glints in the wane light of the candles, too.
Isaac kisses the sun-cross at the end of the beads and tucks it into his trunk, just for the night.
The last few times Zuko had been up before sunrise, it was because something negative transpired. Ranging from somewhat minor things such as troublesome dreams or restlessness, to phantom pains and glass shattering on the kitchen floor.
While the sun was at least partially over the horizon by now, the house was shrouded in darkness, lit only by a lamp and the glow of appliances, as usual. Even now, neither of them dared to pull the curtains back. If Zuko longed for the sun, he was free to go out on his own to experience it.
Icio joined him in the kitchen, and then by the door. After Zuko unlocked it, they lingered, his hand around the knob but not twisting.
“Are you ready?”
The weather was ideal. For weeks, it had either been too hot or stormy. Zuko stepped out a little while before, testing; the wind was light and refreshing, and the forecast promised for a mild, autumn day.
They wouldn’t go far, he figured. To the pond at the end of the block, then back. If they made it past the front steps.
Word count for the year (published/unpublished): 298,680 published/ 348,850 total including my unpublished works written during NaNo
Fic I spent the most time on: Sun Touched - I started writing this story in Oct 2019 and posted the first chapter in December. It is not complete, because it is a novelization of DA:Origins. It is currently on hiatus and I do not know how long that will continue.
Fic I spent the least amount of time on: Careworn - a Tumblr angst prompt featuring Varric Tethras that I penned in a furious outpouring in an hour. It is heartbreakingly beautiful.
Shortest fic: Careworn is also my shortest fic, clocking in at 768 words.
Most hits: Find Me Well Within Your Grace has 1,088 hits! What. The. Actual. Fuck?! It blows my mind since it’s a rare pair AND head-canon fueled prequel to the main game story line. Seeing how many people enjoy this story never ceases to amaze me since it is purely indulgent on my part. [Currently on hiatus]
Most kudos: For You I Could Be has 83 kudos. Holy shit! This is a DEH one-shot that became a sensation overnight. So many ppl asked me to continue the story, so I turned it into a series. I am working on part 4 right now, but it won’t go up until after the New Year.
Most comment threads: Sun Touched
Most bookmarks: Find Me Well Within Your Grace
Highest total word count: 98,068 words for Sun Touched (keep in mind this story is only ¼ complete). I expect it to hit, if not exceed, 400k when it’s finally complete.
Favorite fic I wrote: Sun Touched and FMWWYG are high on the list, even if they are on hold, simply because they are in-depth character studies and so rich in lore. But my fave fic in DEH is Declarations of Dependence. It’s part of my ongoing series.
Fic I want to rewrite/expand on: I am focused on my For You I Could Be series at the moment and I’m in the process of polishing a half-assed DEH AU I started writing during NaNo. But I won’t be posting it any time soon. Too many kinks to iron out first.
Share a bit of a WIP or story idea you’re working on: From the football AU that I am cleaning up. It’s not even close to done, but I do really like this scene.
“Evan!”
Both boys turned in the direction of the voice and Jared stared in shock when Connor jogged toward Evan, casually slinging an arm around his shoulder.
“Hey, Connor. You’re in a good mood,” Evan greeted with a grin.
“Well, yeah, dude. First day of senior year! It’s gonna be sick.”
Pressing the back of his hand against Connor’s forehead, he smirked. “Huh, you seem healthy to me.”
Laughing, the other boy playfully elbowed him. “One day your sarcasm is gonna get you in trouble.”
“Whatever. I can take you.”
Connor bent over slightly as he laughed harder. “No, you can’t. But Alana sure as hell can and I’m not pissing her off by starting shit with her best friend.”
“Rude,” Evan replied, eyes sparkling with mischief.
Jared cleared his throat insistently, unruffled by the glare Connor leveled at him when he reminded them of his presence. Blushing faintly, Evan rushed to introduce them, but Connor waved it away.
“I know who he is,” he snapped. “Kleinman.”
Straightening to his full height, Jared returned the frosty stare. “Murphy.” Turning to Evan, he asked, “So, how do you two know each other, hm?”
“Yearbook,” they replied in unison. Glancing between them, Jared narrowed his eyes in warning to Connor and the quarterback visibly bristled.
“Riiight,” Jared sneered. “Well, I should go to class. Talk to you later, Evan.”
They watched him disappear into the milling crowd and Connor reluctantly removed his arm. Evan’s stomach sank in disappointment with the loss, but he stamped it out.
Shuffling his feet, Evan murmured, “Sorry about him. He’s an ass on the best of days.”
Huffing in aggravation, Connor jerked his head and they walked in tense silence to their first class. Pausing outside the room, Connor said, “You don’t have to apologize for him. I know what most people think of me.”
“They’re wrong, though,” Evan whispered.
Gracing him with a small smile, he said, “As long as you know that, I don’t give a shit about the others.”
“I do know it,” Evan insisted.
Chuckling softly, Connor grabbed his backpack strap and spun him across the classroom threshold. “C’mon, gotta claim the good seats before someone else does.”
If anyone found it strange when they settled side by side in the back row with matching smiles they were smart enough to keep their mouths shut.
No pressure to play, but tagging @fandomn00blr @bigfan-fanfic @cassandra-pentughasst @kittimau @blarfkey @herald-divine-hell @jennserr @jellysharkbat @lucyrne @pikapeppa @scharoux @river-of-asgard
Rules: Describe the main romance of your WIP in a 1-4 sentence snippet.
Isaac thinks on it for a moment. Tilts his head to the side and grins with his teeth, all half closed eyes and wet-damp hair. “Ay would do most anything ye asked of me, Amal. Ay would think ye’d know that by now.”
I love them your honor
And I’ll tag @calicojackofficial @writinginslowmotion and @bardicbeetle
